The ironson-woods spirituality/religiousness index is associated with long survival, health behaviors, less distress, and low cortisol in people with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of an instrument that measures both spirituality and religiousness, to examine the relation between spirituality and religiousness and important health outcomes for people living with HIV and to examine the potential mediators of these relations. One aim was to determine whether subscales of spirituality, religiousness, or both would be independently related to long survival in people living with AIDS. The Ironson-Woods Spirituality/Religiousness (SR) Index is presented with evidence for its reliability and validity. Four factors were identified on the Ironson-Woods SR Index (Sense of Peace, Faith in God, Religious Behavior, and Compassionate View of Others). Each subscale was significantly related to long survival with AIDS. That is, the long-term survivor (LTS) group (n = 79) scored significantly higher on these factors than did the HIV-positive comparison (COMP) group (n = 200). Long survival was also significantly related to both frequency of prayer (positively) and judgmental attitude (negatively). In addition, the Ironson-Woods SR Index yielded strong and significant correlations with less distress, more hope, social support, health behaviors, helping others, and lower cortisol levels. The relation between religious behavior and health outcomes was not due to social support. Further analyses were conducted, which identified urinary cortisol concentrations and altruistic behavior as mediators of the relation between SR and long survival.

Adherence to Antiretroviral Medication Regimens: A Test of a Psychosocial Model

“…These variables are spirituality, stigma, stress, patient satisfaction, and patient participation in decision-making. Studies show that people with HIV who are more spiritual report more positive health practices (Latkin et al 2002), more hope and social support (Ironson et al 2002), less affective or emotional distress (Ironson et al 2002;Sowell et al 2000), and fewer depressive symptoms (Coleman 2004;Sterk et al 2003). In contrast both stigma and stress have been noted to have negative effects on well being.…”

To Take or Not to Take: Decision-Making About Antiretroviral Treatment in People Living with HIV/AIDS

“…The parent study established that spirituality/ religiousness is associated with long survival, health behaviors, more optimism, less distress and low cortisol in PLWH. 17 In a study in HIV-positive women, mainly African American, 92% reported that prayer was an important source for HIV medication decision-making, with 59% considering prayer more important than the physician, which created a sense of conflict for some. 43 Physicians may ask about the patient's spirituality/worldview as an aid in coping.…”

To tell or not to tell: Why people with HIV share or don't share with their physicians whether they are taking their medications as prescribed

“…The study was conducted as a sub-study of the longitudinal parent study on the psychology of health and long survival with HIV/AIDS (Ironson et al, 2001;Ironson et al, 2002;Ironson et al, 2005a;Ironson et al, 2005b). The longitudinal study started in March 1997 and recruited a diverse paid-volunteer sample from AIDS-organizations, doctors' offices, and communityevents in southeast Florida.…”